The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi for pioneering the creation of Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) — crystalline materials that combine metal ions and organic molecules into vast, porous scaffolds. These molecular frameworks have redefined how chemists design and manipulate matter, unlocking new frontiers in gas storage, catalysis, pollution control, and energy applications.
What Are MOFs?
Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline compounds consisting of metal ions or clusters (which act as nodes) connected by organic linkers (which act as bridges). Together, these form repetitive 3D networks that are both highly ordered and remarkably porous. Their internal surface area can reach thousands of square metres per gram, and their pores can be tuned to selectively capture, store, or react with target molecules. MOFs belong to a larger family of materials known as coordination polymers.
Key Facts for Prelims
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) |
| Core Concept | Crystalline structures composed of metal ions (nodes) and organic linkers forming porous networks |
| First Stable MOF | Developed by Susumu Kitagawa in 1997 using cobalt, nickel, or zinc ions with 4,4’-bipyridine |
| MOF-5 (Landmark Discovery) | Created by Omar Yaghi (1999) – a robust 3D zinc-based framework with massive surface area |
| Special Feature | Enormous internal surface area (up to 7,000 m²/g) and tunable pore size/chemistry |
| Applications | Gas storage (H₂, CH₄), carbon capture, water harvesting, catalysis, pollutant removal, drug delivery |
| Unique Property | Can absorb and release molecules without structural collapse – “breathing” or flexible frameworks |
| Relation to Coordination Chemistry | Advanced form of coordination networks where periodic architecture and porosity are design-controlled |
Why MOFs Matter
MOFs have revolutionised materials science by offering unprecedented control over nanoscale structure. Their enormous internal surface areas enable efficient gas adsorption, catalysis, and molecular separation — key processes in energy and environmental technologies.
Examples include:
- CALF-20: Captures CO₂ from industrial exhaust gases
- MOF-303: Harvests water from desert air
- UiO-67: Removes PFAS (forever chemicals) from water
- MIL-101 and ZIF-8: Aid in pollutant breakdown and metal recovery
- NU-1501 and MOF-177: Store hydrogen or methane for clean-fuel applications
In medicine, MOFs can act as drug carriers, releasing molecules in response to biological cues — a breakthrough in targeted therapy.
The Broader Impact
MOFs exemplify how chemistry is shifting from making molecules to designing matter itself. Their modular nature blurs the line between molecules and materials, offering tunable solutions for climate change, clean energy, and sustainable chemistry.
